Leicestershire’s Martine Croxall makes BBC return after year off show amid controversy

Leicestershire’s Martine Croxall is back on screen for the first time in over a year. The much-loved BBC presenter’s absence has even seen her take the corporation to an employment tribunal.

Martine, who was born and raised in Stoke Golding, near Hinckley, made her return to BBC screens today (Sunday 26 May) while hosting the 11am hour on the BBC News Channel. It is her first appearance on the channel since March last year, after she was axed from the show amid a cost-cutting rebrand at the network.

The news of Martine’s return was confirmed by the Leicestershire presenter herself just minutes before she appeared on screens. A video on X, formerly known as Twitter, saw her back behind the famous BBC news desk and ask the simple question: “Now where have I been?”

READ MORE: Former BBC Leicester journalist Ian Stringer employment tribunal rules on ‘unfair dismissal’ claims

The news was met with great acclaim from fans of the presenter, who was among the most popular on the BBC News Channel before the rebrand. One said it was “the best news ever”, while the second labeled it “great news”.

Martine was among a number of BBC presenters kept off-screen from March 2023 following the rebrand, which was a merger of the old BBC News Channel and BBC World News. She and three colleagues – Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera and Annita McVeigh – all started legal proceedings against the corporation, claiming they were prevented from working against their will.

An employment tribunal held earlier this month heard how presenters claim they were denied new chief presenter roles on the rebranded channel in favor of junior and inexperienced colleagues. Martine and the others also claimed they were not being paid equally – but this was rejected at the hearing.

However, Judge Sarah Goodman found that the four presenters could make claims against the BBC on grounds of age and gender discrimination. In Martine’s case, the Leicestershire presenter can also claim discrimination in terms of union membership as well as pay.

All four will be jointly heard on discrimination cases at a tribunal set for Monday, March 17 next year. It is expected to last three weeks.

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